My Love Story

Last weekend, while we were taking a dinner break in the middle of finishing the bathroom, I shared a new list of what I wanted to do next with Mr. SCC. He’s no stranger to these lists, I have one running at pretty much every moment in time. About half way through the “First we’re going to do A, B & C – and after that I’d like to do X, Y & Z” I just looked up and asked him, “Do you ever get tired of my lists?”

Without missing a beat he said, “Nah, I’m used to it.”

I thought about it for a second and realized, we’ve DIY’ed together, even before we were married, so as long as he’s known me there’s always been a list. He helped me put down new flooring in my kitchen 2 weeks after we started dating.

I was a single mom before I married him. I had two girls, and had never married. It was just me and my girls – we were a happy little family. I’d had a few other beaus, but never anyone serious enough that I’d let my girls meet them. And then he walked in.

Lala was 8 when we met, she was a funny, shy little girl, and very, very quiet {which you would NEVER guess if you met her now.} Since Mr. SCC had two kids of his own from a previous marriage, he brought them over one night to meet me and the girls, and they all got along famously. Like fairy tale story kinda good. It was magical.

A couple of weeks went by, and they came over frequently thanks to the summer break. Every afternoon it was football in the front yard, dinner on the deck and lots of laughter. One summer afternoon Lala said something that changed our lives forever. She sat down beside Mitch and asked, “Will you be my dad?” And he said, “Yes.”

I had no idea of the conversation until later that night when they were all sacked out watching TV. He told me the story and I got scared. What if we break up? I mean, we weren’t married – I had never been married – I had no idea if I wanted to marry him. He reassured me that no matter what happened between us, that he would be there for her. And something in me believed him.

Three months after we started dating, we married. See, I do everything quickly, not just room makeovers

A year later, he adopted both my girls. I could not have taken applications and hand picked a better dad for my girls. Nearly a dozen years later, we’re still living a fairy tale.

Even though I love the DIY side of him, his heart is even bigger than his ability to build anything under the sun. And there’s nothing better than that, not even a checked off to-do list.

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

You do have a wonderful husband! And I saw that you two love each other so much! And you’d never know that your hubby wasn’t the girls’ father from the very beginning, he is so good to them. And you. <3

HI Gina I’m very happy for you and your girls. You weren’t looking but God was for somebody you and your girls deserved and would be the “right” one. It’s scarey tho huh?I’d been married before, had 3 small children when I met my hubs now. We met at a laundry/dry cleaners by Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ. We talked alot when he’d drop off his fatigues and do his laundry. I was quite taken with him. I lost my job but asked a friend I met at the laundry, to tell him I was looking for him is she ever saw him. She did a few months later. She called me to tell me and asked if she could give him my ph#. Are you kidding? Anyway couple more weeks went by and he called me, set up a coffee date. My friend came also. Our first date was Oct. 18th., we got married Nov. 30th. and he had to leave for Nam on Dec. 26, 1968. Yeah I know about quick. We’ve been married 44 plus yrs. now. My kids look on him as their Dad, as their biological Dad lives in Phoenix, he’d gotten remarried soon after our divorce. He wasn’t much of a presence in their lives, once a month until we left Tucson in 1969. I’m sure glad your Prince Charming was the one for you. It’s so great isn’t it? I am really happy for you.

Thank you for sharing you story. I love to hear how couples met. Every single one I’ve ever heard had something special about them. Your story is one I can relate to in a couple of ways..enough so that I see myself again as a single Mom of two teen daughters. I walked into my cousins home on a drop-in visit and there sat the love of my life. twenty-six years and 5 grandchildren later our love story just continues to grow longer as we grow older, I’m 70 and he is 58. lol

I love a good love story… I’ve been married to my best friend and soul mate for 37 years this June. I don’t know where the time has gone, I look at this dear sweet man, the greys in his hair and beard, the wrinkles around his eyes…but I still see the young guy I met all those years ago. Where does the time go…Hugs,Pendra

That’s such a lovely story! I love hearing about the good ones. I’ve got one of the good ones myself, and we’ve been DIYing together for more than 20 years. He never gets tired of my “lists” either. At one time I had a 17- page list of things to do in the house and garden; we’ve accomplished many of those but have added more now. We are a great match; if there is an idea of mine, he will figure out to make it work! It doesn’t get better than that!

Having gotten to know you and that little family, I can vouch that seeing Mitch with the girls, no one would ever believe they weren’t his biological children. He is a good dad and a good husband, and yes, an all round good man. For those who don’t know him, he’s about as neutral and unscathed by things as a sleeping baby. He just goes with he flow of whatever’s happening. And he gives Gina whatever she wants! lol….no, seriously. Nice to hear your story.

Thanks for sharing your love story. A real, live Prince Charming who loves your children, and takes them as his own, is a very special man. Wishing you, Mitch and all your kids many more years filled with love.Debbie

Beautiful. And your story is a great example of when we least expect it to happen someone walks into our lives. When ever I hear single friends say all the good men are taken I say ‘oh no they’re not’. This proves that too, well except he is now taken.

Okay I was doing the math (its just something I do, sort of auto-pilot) and in your pics, neither of you look old enough to have 20 yr old children! Loved your story, sweet, hopeful, and a happy ending, who could ask for more! You two make a great pair

Thanks so much for sharing this part of your life, Gina. My husband is not the biological father of our daughter either, but he might as well be. And she certainly considers him her father. I met him when she was 2 and we have been together as a family ever since. Today is her 32nd birthday. I am SO lucky to have him! And her!

WONDERFUL story / loved it! My son has one biological child…my 3 1/2 year old grandson. That child has an older sister and my son is Dad to her as well even though he and the children’s mama are not together. They tried for a bit but it was just not working and wrong for both of them

As to the little girl who is my ‘adopted granddaughter’ He often jokes he got a ‘buy one get one free” deal.

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